Dewar rallies for its first state slowpitch softball title

Since the early 1990s, few teams can say they have a better softball tradition than Dewar, especially in the slowpitch game.

The Dragons have won 15 district championships and had been to the state tournament 10 times since 1993.

The Dewar softball team celebrates its Class 3A title on Tuesday. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

However, that championship always eluded them. Not anymore, as the 11th time was the charm.

Dewar came from behind late to earn its first title with an 8-5 win against Barnsdall in the Class 3A championship Tuesday night at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

"This feels incredible,” junior pitcher Whitney Jefferson said. "I’m just so proud of how hard we worked and stayed together.”

Dewar came in ranked No. 9 but showed early in the day that it came to play, knocking off No. 1-ranked Fletcher in the quarterfinals.

The Dragons carried that momentum to a 16-6 win against third-ranked Wilson and showed how far they’ve come as a team in the finals. Dewar trailed fifth-ranked Barnsdall 4-1 heading into the fifth inning, and where other Dewar teams had faltered, this one woke up.

"We’re not losers. We’re not chokers,” coach Jason Herring said. "We felt we’ve been a little snake-bitten in the past and haven’t believed in each other. These girls did believe and fought for each other.”

Junior Alesha Hill drove in two runs, including what turned out to be the game-winning RBI single in the seventh inning. Dewar scored three in the seventh to break a 5-5 tie.